Florida

[Brittain33]

Hmmmm....

http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/1/748644/-FL-Sen:-Another-potential-Republican-defection


Now, THAT would be fun!

It would be... but for anyone who is just reading the URL, note that this something Kos is wishing for and trying to make happen, and it is still nothing more than a dream...

[Landslide Lyndon]

Hmmmm....

http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/1/748644/-FL-Sen:-Another-potential-Republican-defection


Now, THAT would be fun!

It would be... but for anyone who is just reading the URL, note that this something Kos is wishing for and trying to make happen, and it is still nothing more than a dream...

I think the ones that are wishing and trying it to happen most are the right-wingers, like DeMint, Huckabee, Fox News and WSJ. 

[Lief 🗽]

While that would be hilarious, I'd really rather not have another fake Democrat in the Senate.

[Brittain33]

I think the ones that are wishing and trying it to happen most are the right-wingers, like DeMint, Huckabee, Fox News and WSJ. 

Do you think Crist would really run as a D?

He hasn't burned his bridges as a R in Florida. He may prove unacceptable to the Florida Rs as their candidate for Senate in 2010, but jumping to a D would be a very big leap for someone who has been a successful R governor and could always decide to return to that office in the future.

[phk]

I think the ones that are wishing and trying it to happen most are the right-wingers, like DeMint, Huckabee, Fox News and WSJ. 

Do you think Crist would really run as a D?

He hasn't burned his bridges as a R in Florida. He may prove unacceptable to the Florida Rs as their candidate for Senate in 2010, but jumping to a D would be a very big leap for someone who has been a successful R governor and could always decide to return to that office in the future.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Second Quarter fundraising totals:

Charlie Crist (R): $3M raised
Kendrick Meek (D): $1.2M raised
Marco Rubio (R): $340K raised
Corrine Brown (D): <$5K raised

Where's that CFG money, Marco?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Second Quarter fundraising totals:

Charlie Crist (R): $3M raised
Kendrick Meek (D): $1.2M raised
Marco Rubio (R): $340K raised
Corrine Brown (D): <$5K raised

Where's that CFG money, Marco?

In Pennsylvania most likely.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Mel Martinez is resigning his seat:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/07/florida-senator-to-resign-seat/

Which creates a fun situation for Crist. Does he appoint a placeholder or resign and have Kottkamp appoint him?

[Brittain33]

I wonder how Paula Hawkins' health is. She's 82.

[Nym90]

Crist should appoint himself.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Crist should appoint Marco Rubio, allow him to prove himself and gain an incumbency advantage. Then Crist should sit out 2010. In 2012, the more popular Crist should run against Democrat Nelson and win that seat and allow the Republicans to hold both seats.

[Brittain33]

Crist should appoint Marco Rubio, allow him to prove himself and gain an incumbency advantage. Then Crist should sit out 2010. In 2012, the more popular Crist should run against Democrat Nelson and win that seat and allow the Republicans to hold both seats.

What motivation is there for Crist to do any of this vs. continuing with his current run?

[Ronnie]

Crist should appoint Marco Rubio, allow him to prove himself and gain an incumbency advantage. Then Crist should sit out 2010. In 2012, the more popular Crist should run against Democrat Nelson and win that seat and allow the Republicans to hold both seats.

That sounds like a swell idea.  I don't know how willing Crist is to run against Nelson, though.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Crist should appoint Marco Rubio, allow him to prove himself and gain an incumbency advantage. Then Crist should sit out 2010. In 2012, the more popular Crist should run against Democrat Nelson and win that seat and allow the Republicans to hold both seats.

What motivation is there for Crist to do any of this vs. continuing with his current run?

To get two Republicans from Florida rather than one. If he believed in cause rather than just being a selfish dick, it would be a good move.

[Purple State]

Crist should appoint Marco Rubio, allow him to prove himself and gain an incumbency advantage. Then Crist should sit out 2010. In 2012, the more popular Crist should run against Democrat Nelson and win that seat and allow the Republicans to hold both seats.

What motivation is there for Crist to do any of this vs. continuing with his current run?

To get two Republicans from Florida rather than one. If he believed in cause rather than just being a selfish dick, it would be a good move.

It could be a good idea, as it would also give him less time in the Senate, meaning less time to make potentially damaging votes for a presidential run.

On the other hand, it would likely harm Crist's record as a moderate. It would place him squarely on the side of hack partisan ploys, so while it may strengthen his position among conservatives, it just doesn't do him any good.

[Brittain33]

To get two Republicans from Florida rather than one. If he believed in cause rather than just being a selfish dick, it would be a good move.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Crist has no idea what can happen between now and 2012 and would not be a safe bet against Nelson. Serving as governor of Florida in hard times is only going to make things worse for him. I don't think it makes you a selfish dick to pass up a sure thing this year, handing it over to a sworn enemy, in order to take a tough shot against a strong incumbent. Nelson isn't invulnerable, but it would be the height of unselfishness for Crist to wait until 2012, and what politician behaves this way?

Besides, the option to run in 2012 against Nelson was always available to Crist. Why would Martinez's resignation change anything?

[Alexander Hamilton]

To get two Republicans from Florida rather than one. If he believed in cause rather than just being a selfish dick, it would be a good move.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Crist has no idea what can happen between now and 2012 and would not be a safe bet against Nelson. Serving as governor of Florida in hard times is only going to make things worse for him. I don't think it makes you a selfish dick to pass up a sure thing this year, handing it over to a sworn enemy, in order to take a tough shot against a strong incumbent. Nelson isn't invulnerable, but it would be the height of unselfishness for Crist to wait until 2012, and what politician behaves this way?

Besides, the option to run in 2012 against Nelson was always available to Crist. Why would Martinez's resignation change anything?

Crist is a selfish dick for more reasons than just that.
Nelson isn't a strong incumbent. His opponent was Katherine Harris in 2006.
Crist was begged by the NRSC to run, that's why. With an appointment, Marco Rubio would definitely be able to hold the seat against a weak opponent like Kendrick Meek, and the NRSC would have no worries. Besides, I think  it's good to see some Latino faces in the GOP.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

To get two Republicans from Florida rather than one. If he believed in cause rather than just being a selfish dick, it would be a good move.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Crist has no idea what can happen between now and 2012 and would not be a safe bet against Nelson. Serving as governor of Florida in hard times is only going to make things worse for him. I don't think it makes you a selfish dick to pass up a sure thing this year, handing it over to a sworn enemy, in order to take a tough shot against a strong incumbent. Nelson isn't invulnerable, but it would be the height of unselfishness for Crist to wait until 2012, and what politician behaves this way?

Besides, the option to run in 2012 against Nelson was always available to Crist. Why would Martinez's resignation change anything?

Crist is a selfish dick for more reasons than just that.
Nelson isn't a strong incumbent. His opponent was Katherine Harris in 2006.
Crist was begged by the NRSC to run, that's why. With an appointment, Marco Rubio would definitely be able to hold the seat against a weak opponent like Kendrick Meek, and the NRSC would have no worries. Besides, I think  it's good to see some Latino faces in the GOP.

Not a bad idea. I sad the same thing in 2007 regarding Nebraska and the "other" Nelson. I said that basically Johanns should have run in 2006 or 2012 and leave the open seat in 2008 for Atty Gen Jon Bruning, considered a rising star by Nebraska conservatives, or least thats what I heard at the time.

[??????????]

It's me fellows. I'm the next senator from the state of Florida.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Crist is apparently considering a bizarre set of circumstances to get Rubio out of the Senate race. There's a possibility that he will appoint Lincoln Diaz-Balart to the Senate, then Mario Diaz-Balart will run for LDB's seat (because it's safer than Mario's seat), opening up Mario's seat for Rubio.

[Lunar]

LDB is the older one

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Either way, Linc said he won't seek the Senate appointment, so there goes Crist's attempt at musical chairs.

[Lunar]

I mean, it's a great scenario for Crist, he gets to make appeals to Hispanic establishment officials before appointing his lobbyist friend/former secretary of state guy as his second choice, which will result in a few more million dollars to his campaign?

[Brittain33]

Marco sent a long inspirational fundraising e-mail to his Facebook fans last night or this morning. As if he's very much in it.

[Umengus]

2 polls

Rasmussen

Crist: 53 %

Rubio: 31 %

Quinnipiac

Crist: 55%

Rubio: 26 %